‘Who would imagine a phone call would have the power to change lives?’

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

For 37 years, Timothy Moss was a teacher. When he retired due to health reasons, Moss said he felt lost and alone. That was until he was introduced to IU Health’s Congressional Care Network (CCN).

The initiative started in 2020 to partner Indiana congregations with patients experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The idea was to train congregational members to offer companionship to patients discharged and at home.

Since its beginning, IU Health has partnered with 40 diverse congregations and provided training to more than 460 volunteers. More than 700 patients are part of CCN in the following counties: Benton, Tippecanoe, Boone, Hamilton, Marion, Hendricks, Johnson, Delaware, Blackford and Monroe. Chaplains are now available to patients in more than a dozen primary health locations helping to identify specific needs such as hypertension, sickle cell support, and spiritual health.

For patients like Moss, a phone call from someone who cares, made the world of difference

“Ever since first grade I wanted to be a teacher. My classroom was like what you are doing with congregational care,” said Moss. “We were a community of learners, and we took care of each other. As a teacher I looked at the whole person and that’s what I’ve found through the Congregational Care Network.”

Moss is a Terre Haute resident but receives regular phone calls from Monroe County resident Janet Cornell, a member of Bloomington’s First Methodist Church. With a background in social work and teaching, Cornell made a quick connection with Moss.

“I totally believe faith is an important part of moving forward, growing, and healing and that’s what happened with me and Janet,” said Moss. “She’s wise, witty and touched my life when I felt so alone. I always wanted to give my students a voice and that’s what this program does. It develops a sense of community that touches the whole person and gives them a voice.”

Dennis Murphy, CEO & President of IU Health told the audience at a celebration luncheon that this is one more piece in making Indiana a healthier state and focusing on total patient care. “One out of every five people say they’re lonely and 50 percent of US citizens feel left out, so this is a real health issue and impacts people’s lives every day.”

Research since the program started supports the need for patient connection. Eliminating isolation has significantly decreased patient readmission and ER visits. As the program continues to expand, IU Health chaplains are taking part in adult sickle cell support groups and planning a pediatric sickle cell support group for Riley Hospital families.